[CA] Lynn Shimek only wanted to be free.

San Jose Police Sergeant Christopher Shimek

Lynn Polinsky Shimek's life has been stolen in her soon-to-be-ex husband's murder suicide. Her husband, San Jose police sergeant Christopher Shimek, didn't let Lynn have what she wanted --

Condolences to all who loved them. 

...Lynn Shimek, 43, told a close circle of friends that she was unhappy and she wanted to leave...

"She just wanted to be free and live her life without feeling like she was always being watched"...

FROM A  FACEBOOKCOMMENT:

"Another long day, mourning the loss of two wonerful people, Lynn and Chris Shimek... I can hear Lynn's laugh now, it was soooo contagious. Oh Lord, I lift their two boys up to you... may you surround these boys with your grace and give them the strengh they will need to get through the days ahead. I also lift up both families and all of the friends who have been affected by this tragedy. There are so many people trying to come to terms with the loss. Lord hear my prayer."

Derby Girls Plan Fundraiser For Shimek Kids
Lynn joined the Derby Girls about a year ago, and she was one of the sweetest people on their team. "The South County Derby Girls will have a fundraiser on Dec. 11 to raise money for the Shimek children, and to educate attendees about domestic violence prevention... Dec. 11, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. -Where: Dutchman’s Pizza, 6940 Chestnut St... A trust fund has also been setup by the Shimek children's aunt, Valerie Roberts. Those interested in donating can make checks payable to Valerie Roberts, 1821 South Bascom Ave., PO Box 217 Campbell, CA 95008."

...She was also handy with a with a pair of skates, lacing up with the  South County Derby Girls and throwing elbows alongside Gilroy's rough-and-tumble roller divas... On Nov. 16, Lynn left a note on the event's Facebook page, indicating she was looking forward to the [South County Derby Girls] "Stand Against Domestic Violence" event... "an amazing soul, very warm and extremely creative"...

APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE IN GILROY SUNDAY NIGHT
Gilroy Dispatch
By Blair Tellers
November 29, 2011
[Excerpts] Neighbors in a manicured neighborhood off Santa Teresa Boulevard were "shocked" Monday morning after San Jose police sergeant Christopher Shimek apparently killed his wife, then turned a gun on himself Sunday night. The bodies of Lynn Shimek, 43, and her husband Christopher Shimek, 51 - a San Jose police sergeant of 16 years - were found by Gilroy police officers around 9:39 p.m. Sunday inside the couples' two-story home on the 9400 block of Rodeo Drive in Gilroy. The discovery was made following a welfare check requested by friends and family... [Full article here]

"...Lynn also has a business website 

called "Amazing Face Paintings..."

FROM FACEBOOK COMMENT:

"We miss you so much, Lynn. 

We can't believe you're gone."

FACEBOOK PAGE FOR LYNN: 

Lynn Shimek you will be missed 

"We will miss you Lynn.

It's not fair that this happened 

to such a beautiful person, 

inside and out." 

POLICE SGT. MURDERS WIFE, COMMITS SUICIDE IN GILROY
KSBW
By Amy Larson
November 28, 2011
[Excerpts] ...A veteran police officer murdered his 43-year-old wife before turning the gun on himself inside their Gilroy home... Christopher Shimek, 51, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at 9:40 p.m. Sunday, Gillio said.. His wife, Lynn Polinsky-Shimek, was also found dead. Shimek was a San Jose Police Department sergeant... He worked in the traffic division and had never shown signs of trouble, San Jose police said... Family and friends became worried and asked authorities to check on them. The couple's two children, ages 13 and 19, were not home when the murder-suicide happened,... Police did not release how the police sergeant murdered his wife... The police sergeant had a history of domestic violence. "In March 2007, GPD responded to a call in which Christopher Shimek allegedly hit a stepson in a rage... Lynn Shimek did not want any further police action," [Gilroy police Captain Jim] Gillio said. In addition to being a mother of two, Polinsky-Shimek was an artist and competed on a women's roller derby team... [Full article here]

...Friends and family are planning a private memorial service for Lynn Shimek on Saturday at a winery in Gilroy. Private memorial services, for Chris and Lynn, are scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Campbell... And on Dec. 11, the South County Derby Girls, a group that Lynn Shimek had joined recently, is hosting a fundraiser and anti-domestic violence fundraiser at Dutchman's Pizza on Chestnut Street in Gilroy from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m...

APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE IN GILROY SUNDAY NIGHT
Morgan Hill Times
By Blair Tellers
Monday, November 28, 2011
[Excerpts] ...Lynn also has a business website called "Amazing Face Paintings." It advertises her services as a licensed professional face painter who is available for bookings in Northern California... On Facebook, the South County Derby Girls have announced a fundraiser to support the stand against domestic violence, according to their post. "We will be raising $$ for the family of Lynn Shimek who was taken from us by the hands of domestic violence." Lynn Shimek was planning to attend the Derby Girls' "Stand Against Domestic Violence" event. [Full article here]

..."The services will be at 4pm on Sunday in Campbell and we will post additional information as soon as it's available...Those wishing to send flowers for the service (Campbell Memorial chapel): De Young flowers 408 378 1580..."

GILROY POLICE: SAN JOSE COP, WIFE DIED IN MURDER-SUICIDE

San Jose Mercury News
By Sean Webby, Mark Gomez and Lisa Fernandez
Posted: 11/28/2011
[Excerpts] On Sunday evening, Chris Shimek told his teenage boys to go grab something to eat. He wanted to talk to their mother alone. When they returned from an In-N-Out Burger, their father, a veteran San Jose police sergeant, was dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Their mother, Lynn, was dead, too, apparently strangled by her husband. Their parents were found by police officers in a master bedroom, sources close to the investigation said, with his hand in hers... Some friends said it came after years of possessive behavior by Shimek toward his wife of 15 years. "She wanted out," said Rhonda Harkins, a friend of Lynn Shimek's. "She told him she wanted a divorce about three weeks ago. He was not happy. She didn't deserve this. I never thought he would hurt her"... The Shimeks' marriage may have been in bad shape, but there were no outward signs the veteran officer was capable of domestic violence, police say.... "What makes this all the more difficult to understand is that he was so even-keeled. No one expected this," said police Chief Chris Moore. "Yet it happened. My main concern is that we don't see this happening again. These are very difficult times"... Lynn Shimek, her friend Tammy Drews and another friend had been at Rhonda Harkins' home having a few beers at 7 p.m. Sunday. About 8:15 p.m., Drews dropped Lynn Shimek back home at Rodeo Drive with a container of homemade turkey soup. Within the hour, friends said they started getting texts from Chris Shimek, including one that roughly said: I went too far. I'm sorry. Please don't let my kids in the house. One of the friends sent a text to Drews, telling her to get Lynn out the house. Drews said the friend, who she would not name, told her Chris Shimek sent a text that threatened his wife. Drews said she raced back to the Shimeks' house and knocked on the door. It was 9:15 p.m. The front door opened a bit, stopped by the chain latch. The family's dogs, Scarlet and Sheba, were sitting at the bottom of the stairs... She called police... The Shimeks' two boys, ages 13 and 19, are staying with a paternal aunt, friends said... Lynn Shimek, 43, told a close circle of friends that she was unhappy and she wanted to leave. Chris Shimek had been completely "obsessed with her and very possessive of her," Drews said. He pulled her phone records, checked her text messages, trolled her Facebook page and her friends' Facebook pages, and, once, even put a GPS tracker under her car, according to several friends. He never physically harmed her, friends said, and court records show no indication of domestic violence or restraining orders. Gilroy police reported that in 2007 they responded to a call in which the officer allegedly hit his stepson, "in a rage." No further police action was taken... "She just wanted to be free and live her life without feeling like she was always being watched," Drews said... Chris Shimek isn't the first San Jose police officer to be involved with deadly domestic violence. In 1997, Officer Tom Harris killed his wife, Judy,... [Full article here]

FULL OBITUARIES:

UPDATE: SJ SERGEANT KILLS WIFE, HIMSELF

Morgan Hill Times 

By Blair Tellers

Monday, November 28, 2011

[Excerpts] Neighbors in a manicured neighborhood off Santa Teresa Boulevard were "shocked" Monday morning after San Jose police Sgt. Christopher Shimek apparently killed his wife [Lynn], then turned the gun on himself Sunday nigh... The couple has two teenage sons according to Sandra McCarthy, 50, a Gilroy resident since 1976 and friend of Lynn's for five years who described the wife and mother as "an amazing soul, very warm and extremely creative"... When asked if she believed the murder was premeditated, McCarthy maintained she was not at liberty to speculate, but reiterated, "the kids were not there"... On her MySpace page, Lynn described herself as an artist, face painter and mother of two. A business website, "Amazing Face Paintings," advertises her services as a licensed professional face painter who is available for bookings in Northern California. She was also handy with a with a pair of skates, lacing up with the South County Derby Girls and throwing elbows alongside Gilroy's rough-and-tumble roller divas. Lisa Wharton, the team's vice president  ... described Lynn - a teammate of one year - as "the sweetest person. Always so happy, and so sweet. She had this light that just shined from her"... In honor of their former teammate, who ironically planned to attend the Derby Girl's "Stand Against Domestic Violence" fundraiser Dec. 11 at Dutchman's Pizza on 6940 Chestnut St., Wharton said a portion of proceeds raised throughout the day will be donated to the Shimek family. Patrons interested in supporting this effort should mention they're visiting on behalf of the Derby Girls' fundraiser. On Nov. 16, Lynn left a note on the event's Facebook page, indicating she was looking forward to the "Stand Against Domestic Violence" event. A string of comments has since amassed beneath Lynn's posting. "How ironic," one wrote. "So very, very sad." [Full article here]

San Jose Police Sergeant Christopher Shimek

...Chris Shimek had been completely "obsessed with her and very possessive of her"... He pulled her phone records, checked her text messages, trolled her Facebook page and her friends' Facebook pages, and, once, even put a GPS tracker under her car... Gilroy police reported that in 2007 they responded to a call in which the officer allegedly hit his stepson, "in a rage." No further police action was taken...

YOUTUBE VIDEO:

Police Sgt. Murders Wife, Commits Suicide In Gilroy

SERVICES SET FOR SAN JOSE COP AND WIFE, FUNDRAISER PLANNED FOR THEIR SONS
San Jose Mercury News
By Lisa Fernandez
Posted: 11/30/2011
[Excerpts] Friends of Lynn Shimek are doing what they can to provide for her two boys, left behind in the wake of a murder-suicide at the hands of their father, a San Jose police sergeant... Friends and family are planning a private memorial service for Lynn Shimek on Saturday at a winery in Gilroy. Private memorial services, for Chris and Lynn, are scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Campbell, a friend said. And on Dec. 11, the South County Derby Girls, a group that Lynn Shimek had joined recently, is hosting a fundraiser and anti-domestic violence fundraiser at Dutchman's Pizza on Chestnut Street in Gilroy from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The owner is donating 25 percent of all pizza proceeds to the Shimeks' sons, and the derby girls said they are donating 100 percent of what they earn off raffle items. Almost 200 people so far have signed up to attend on the "Lynn Shimek you will be missed" Facebook page. If anyone would like to mail money directly to the boys, checks can be made out to the "Shimek Children Memorial Fund" c/o Valerie Roberts and mailed to the UPS store, 1821 South Bascom Ave., P.O. Box 217, Campbell, CA 95008... [Full article here]

[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal fatality fatalities murder state politics funeral department children orphaned]

[GA] Firefighter Durham's domestic violence, domestic violence, and domestic violence. (Infinity)

SOME CHARGED, CONVICTED MACON-BIBB FIREFIGHTERS STILL ON JOB
Macon Telegraph
By Amy Leigh Womack
Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011
[Excerpts] In the past two years, a Macon-Bibb County firefighter has pleaded guilty twice to striking his child’s mother in the face, causing bruising and swelling. The first time, 25-year-old Vonriquez Maketta Durham agreed to enter a domestic violence counseling program, and the charges subsequently were dismissed, according to Bibb County State Court records. In September 2011, after the second charge, he was sentenced to a year on probation. Within a month of his sentencing, Durham was jailed for nearly two weeks on new family violence charges that later were dismissed, according to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. When The Telegraph reviewed Durham’s personnel file Wednesday, however, it didn’t include a disciplinary notice on any of the family violence charges - or a reprimand for his not showing up for work. A Telegraph inspection of police reports, court records and firefighter personnel records showed that Durham isn’t the only firefighter who’s been charged with a crime -- or convicted -- and is still on the job... [Full article here]

This is a good article. It discusses the policy (versus practice?) of the  Macon-Bibb County Fire Department, the past gun conviction and prehire dismissed murder and domestic violence charges against Macon-Bibb firefighter Ralphel Ramone Adams - who appears to have agreed to be "voluntarily terminated" after MISSING WORK too many days - and how nothing showed up in his file. Also how firefighter Julian Gainey's DUI shows up in his record but not his episodes of domestic violence charges, one current and a formerly dismissed domestic violence case that was dismissed due to the "missing witness".
[firefighter involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety repeat hx teflon georgia state politics fire department emt fire chief Marvin Riggins]

[WA] Thurston County unnamed sheriff's detective's wife recants so no domestic violence charges.

Previous Post:
[WA] Wife of unnamed Thurston County Sheriff's detective is afraid - ... She alleges that he also said that if she left, he would “shoot everybody who’s out there.” She said that during an argument on Oct. 7 or 8, he had words to the effect of “you will see what’s going to happen, I have nothing left to lose”... She said that on Sunday night, on the way home from dinner, he had said, “I wanna kill you”... that he had made the statement “I wanna kill you” to her “once or twice a week”... She said she had never reported anything to police because she didn’t want him to get into trouble. The detective denied to the Lacey officer that he had threatened to kill his wife...

NO CHARGES FOR THURSTON DETECTIVE: Thurston County: Case of detective suspected of blocking wife in room ends
The Olympian
Jeremy Pawloski
Published November 25, 2011
[Excerpts] An undercover Thurston County narcotics detective arrested last week on suspicion of unlawful imprisonment, domestic violence will not be charged with a crime... The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office declared a conflict of interest in connection with the detective’s Nov. 15 arrest, and the charging decision was left to the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office... [The detective] was accused of refusing to let his wife out of their bedroom during an argument, court papers state. [Pierce County Prosecutor Mark] Lindquist said in a phone interview Wednesday that his office will not file any criminal charges against the detective in connection with the case because it “cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he restricted her movement.” Lindquist added that his office had a follow-up conversation with the detective’s wife, and she said that her husband “did not restrain her and she was free to leave” during the argument. According to court papers, the woman had a different account of what had happened when she spoke to a Lacey police officer who responded to another domestic dispute at her and her husband’s home the night of Nov. 13... Thurston County Sheriff’s Lt. Greg Elwin said Wednesday that the detective will remain on paid administrative reassignment pending the outcome of the sheriff’s office’s internal investigation into the allegations... [Full article here]

Just back from Afghanistan? I don't have to mention PTSD.

I doubt that she waited for him to come home so that she could make false allegations. We notice that he was never charged for threats. She IS somebody. This isn't just about him.

I pray steps are taken to try to ensure that she is safe and he is safe until whatever is best for both of them is determined. I pray both of them can trust enough to accept whatever help is separately offered. I noticed in online comments that the Tacoma Washington police chief murder-suicide is mentioned in relation to this situation - Tacoma, where the chief's wife's allegations were made known, no action was taken, and quickly both were dead. From appearances this doesn't look a lot different, but the public is not privy to whatever may be, and hopefully is, happening behind the scenes.

God be with everybody.

We, the public, hold our breath because that is all that we can do.
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal washington state politics teflon recanting senate bill sb 6161 weapons guns post traumatic stress disorder ptsd soldier terroristic threatening death threats arsenal danger fear afraid repeat hx]

[MI] Michigan State Police Trooper Filpus arrested on child abuse and domestic violence

MICHIGAN STATE TROOPER CHARGED WITH CHILD ABUSE
uppermichiganssource.com
Posted: 11.14.2011
[Excerpts] A Michigan State Police trooper is facing serious charges in Houghton County. In a statement released by the Calumet Post, State Trooper Gregory H. Filpus was arrested on two separate misdemeanor warrants by the Houghton County Sheriff's Department for child abuse, 4th degree, and domestic violence... Filpus was suspended with pay, pending the adjudication of the charges. [LINK]

For more, go to the Michigan Officer Involved Domestic Violence Project blog:
MICHIGAN STATE TROOPER GREGORY FILPUS [CALUMET POST]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety children michigan state politics]

[OH] Fired, reinstated Trooper Wlodarsky blamed girlfriend for crash, quits - and that stops investigation

He blamed his girlfriend for the drunken crash, but she was not having that.

Resigning as he's criminally charged stops the Highway Patrol investigation. Now if he can shake the charges, maybe he'll be back, again.

A state trooper [Eric Wlodarsky] who crashed a truck and was arrested for drunken driving early Sunday claimed his girlfriend was at the wheel, but she refused to lie for him... The woman said she was upset that Wlodarsky was trying to get her into trouble. She had known him for about one month and would not lie for him... Wlodarsky initially told a 911 dispatcher that he wanted the HIGHWAY PATROL to handle the crash investigation, but an Erie County sheriff's deputy arrived at the scene first... A witness who called the sheriff’s office to report the crash told a deputy the man walked straight from the truck to her and he “did not want her to call the police.” The woman said he was “drunk”... Eric E. Wlodarsky, 33, resigned Friday... The patrol had an administrative investigation into Wlodarsky, but that will be closed now that he no longer is an employee, spokeswoman Lt. Anne R. Ralston said...

Before Eric Wlodarsky was fired from the Ohio Highway Patrol and reinstated in 2008, he had taken and sent a photo of a fellow trooper costumed as klu klux klan  - and was accused by another trooper of not wanting to respond to a car of "niggers". He says he said Blacks.

EX-TROOPER ASKS COURT TO THROW OUT EVIDENCE IN DUI CASE
The Morning Journal
Richard Payerchin
Friday, November 18, 2011
[Excerpts] A former Highway Patrol trooper cited for drunken driving is asking the court to suppress evidence in the case, according to Erie County Municipal Court records. Eric E. Wlodarsky, 33, claims sheriff’s deputies wrongly questioned him and searched his black 2003 Ford F-150 pickup truck after an Oct. 30 where he is accused of running off SR 13 in Milan Township and hitting a tree. The motion to throw out the evidence also argued deputies did not properly conduct field sobriety tests and or use a valid breath sample to check Wlodarsky’s blood alcohol level. Wlodarsky was cited for driving under the influence, failure to control and possessing a weapon while intoxicated, according to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. He has pleaded innocent and has resigned from the Highway Patrol, where he was assigned to the Milan post to work on the Ohio Turnpike... [Full article here]

TROOPER CHARGED IN DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT RESIGNS
Fox 8 News
By Jack Shea
November 14, 2011
[Excerpts] The Ohio Highway Patrol trooper who was recently charged in a drunk driving incident and was also involved in a 2008 prank that some considered racist has turned in his badge. According to Lt. B.J. Smith with the Columbus Ohio State Patrol Office, Eric Wlodarsky resigned Friday... Deputies said Wlodarksy's pick-up truck careened out of control on State Route 13 outside Huron, hit a tree and then skidded across a lawn. The deputy's report indicates that the trooper failed a field sobriety test, blew a .133 on a breathalyzer, which is above the legal limit, and was carrying a loaded gun not issued by the state... Wlodarsky also made headlines in 2008 when he was fired by the highway patrol after taking a picture of a fellow trooper wearing a KKK outfit the day before Martin Luther King Day. The photo infuriated many people, including then Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, who demanded that the troopers lose their jobs. But an arbitrator later reinstated Wlodarksy and the other trooper, ruling that the firings violated their union contract. [Full article here]

TROOPER RESIGNS FROM FORCE; PATROL’S INVESTIGATION INTO WLODARSKY’S CHARGES CLOSED
The Morning Journal
Richard Payerchin
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
[Excerpts] A Highway Patrol trooper cited for driving drunk has resigned from the force. Eric E. Wlodarsky, 33, resigned Friday effective that day. Wlodarsky was cited for driving under the influence, failure to control and possessing a weapon while intoxicated, for a crash on SR 13 about 12:49 a.m. Oct. 30, according to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. The patrol had an administrative investigation into Wlodarsky, but that will be closed now that he no longer is an employee, spokeswoman Lt. Anne R. Ralston said. Wlodarsky was one of three troopers who made headlines in 2008 for a prank involving photographing a trooper wearing a makeshift Ku Klux Klan costume while on duty. He was disciplined, then fired at the order of then Gov. Ted Strickland, before being reinstated when he won an appeal... The Erie County Sheriff’s Office responded to a non-injury crash in the 10500 block of SR 13 on Oct. 30... The truck had heavy damag... The deputy recognized Wlodarsky, who appeared unsteady on his feet. Wlodarsky asked how the deputy would handle the incident and the deputy said he would investigate it as he would any other crash, the report said. The deputy reported a “strong odor of intoxicating beverages on Wlodarsky’s breath”... He failed field sobriety tests and a portable breath test showed he had a blood alcohol level of 0.154... Deputies found beer bottles... A wine bottle was on the front passenger side floor and a Bud Light bottle was on the ground on the passenger side... Deputies also found a Glock 27 handgun in a black holster in a pocket attached to the rear of the driver’s seat... A witness who called the sheriff’s office to report the crash told a deputy the man walked straight from the truck to her and he “did not want her to call the police.” The woman said he was “drunk,” according to the report... [Full article here]

GIRLFRIEND WOULD NOT LIE FOR TROOPER WHO SAID SHE DROVE THE CRASHED TRUCK DURING OVI ARREST
The Morning Journal
By Richard Payerchin
Published: Tuesday, November 01, 2011
[Excerpts] A state trooper who crashed a truck and was arrested for drunken driving early Sunday claimed his girlfriend was at the wheel, but she refused to lie for him, according to an Erie County sheriff’s report. Trooper Eric E. Wlodarsky was cited for driving under the influence, failure to control and possessing a weapon while intoxicated, for the incident about 12:49 a.m. Sunday... Wlodarsky was one of three troopers who made headlines in 2008 for a prank involving photographing a trooper wearing a makeshift Ku Klux Klan costume while on duty. He was disciplined, then fired at the order of the governor, then reinstated upon appeal... When the deputy asked if Wlodarsky was driving [during the recent crash], he said he was. Wlodarsky then claimed his passenger, a 27-year-old woman from Cincinnati, was driving, the report said. The woman said she was upset that Wlodarsky was trying to get her into trouble. She had known him for about one month and would not lie for him... [Full article here]

REPORT: ARRESTED TROOPER BLAMED WRECK ON GIRLFRIEND
By Jack Shea
Fox 8 News Reporter
October 31, 2011
[Excerpts] An Ohio Highway Patrol trooper, who was fired and later reinstated for a 2008 incident that some people considered racist, is in hot water again. The Erie County sheriff's department said Trooper Eric Wlodarsky was involved in a suspected drunk driving accident early Sunday while off duty. Deputies said Wlodarksy's pick-up truck careened out of control on State Route 13 outside Huron, hit a tree and then skidded across a lawn. Wlodarsky initially told a 911 dispatcher that he wanted the highway patrol to handle the crash investigation, but an Erie County sheriff's deputy arrived at the scene first... Wlodarsky lied to the deputy about what happened. Captain Paul Sigsworth told Fox 8, "Initially tried to say that his girlfriend was driving the truck. The deputy questioned him a bit further based on statements not only Trooper Wlodarsky was making, but also the female passenger and eventually Mr. Wlodarski admitted, in fact, that he was driving the truck." The sheriff's department said Eric Wlodarsky is being treated like any other drunk driving suspect involved in an accident, while carrying a loaded gun. "It was handled appropriately, it was handled professionally, and it was handled by the book," said Sigsworth... [Full article here]

TROOPER ACCUSED BEFORE OF MAKING RACIST COMMENT
Sandusky Register
11:00 PM
APR 15, 2008
[Excerpts] One of the Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers involved in a KKK prank said he is not a racist, but admitted he was “counseled previously for racial gestures or slurs.” Trooper Eric E. Wlodarsky admitted he snapped a photo of Trooper Craig T. Franklin, who was wearing KKK-like garb, while both were on duty at the Sandusky post Jan. 20 — just one day before Martin Luther King Day. Wlodarsky then forwarded the photo, which he took with a cell phone camera, to Sgt. Jason P. Demuth... An audio recording from the investigation into the photo revealed Wlodarsky was counseled for an incident that occurred while he was assigned to the Mansfield post in 2006. Wlodarsky’s counseling stemmed from an administrative investigation conducted by the patrol last summer after another trooper made several allegations about the patrol. The trooper claimed that in November 2006 Wlodarsky failed to respond for back-up on a traffic stop of a car carrying a group of black males — and instead went to deliver Cleveland Browns tickets to an off-duty trooper. The trooper said that when he phoned Wlodarsky to ask why he did not respond, Wlodarsky told him: “We can’t send an officer to back up another every time we stop a carload of niggers. What would the motoring public think?” The call was made from a nonrecorded line at the Mansfield post to Wlodarsky’s cell phone, according to the investigation. The trooper who made the allegations told the Register he has since been fired for untruthfulness. Wlodarsky made a similar comment to a dispatcher, but did not use the n-word, the dispatcher said. During an administrative investigation in July 2007, Wlodarsky admitted making the comment to a dispatcher, but said he did not use the n-word. “He said he used the word ‘blacks’... On Tuesday, Wlodarsky again admitted to making comments about not responding to traffic stops for blacks, but said he never used any insensitive racial language... Joshua Engel, chief legal counsel for the Department of Public Safety, said he was aware Wlodarsky had received previous counseling as a result of information uncovered in an administrative investigation. “It’s sort of a talking to,” Engel said of the counseling. “They don’t get put in the personnel file. It’s not considered a formal discipline”... [Full article here]


ARBITRATOR: KLAN PRANKSTERS GET PATROL JOBS BACK
Sandusky Register Staff
Nov 06 2008
[Excerpts] On the day the country voted Barack Obama in as the first black U.S. president, an arbitrator ruled two Ohio State troopers fired for a racially insensitive prank must be given their jobs back. Susan Grody Ruben ruled Tuesday that because Eric Wlodarsky and Craig Franklin signed a last-chance agreement to retain their jobs after the incident, they could not be fired, even though Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland ordered their termination. Grody Ruben decided the troopers should be reinstated in their jobs within 30 calendar days and receive full backpay and benefits. She also said the last-chance agreements should be reinstated for 24 months. That means if either man is disciplined for a similar incident in the next two years, he can be fired... "The governor is disappointed, but the administration will comply with the decision of the arbitration board to reinstate the troopers," Strickland spokesman Keith Dailey wrote in ane-mail to the Register. Larry Phillips, president of the Ohio State Trooper Association, said Grody Ruben followed the law in making her decision... On Jan. 20, the day before the Martin Luther King Day, Franklin, while on duty at the Sandusky post, dressed up in a makeshift costume that resembled those worn by members of the KKK. Wlodarsky, who was also on duty, snapped a picture of Franklin with a cell phone and then sent the picture to trooper Sgt. Jason Demuth. A copy of the picture was sent anonymously to patrol brass who investigated... After the Register exposed the incident, the Sandusky NAACP met with state patrol superintendent Richard H. Collins and called for the troopers to be fired. Soon after, Strickland ordered that Wlodarsky and Franklin be terminated. On May 2, following a pre-disciplinary hearing, the two were axed... [Full article here]

[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal blamed girlfriend lied liar ohio state politics]

[MA] Lawbreaking State Police Cpt. McCarthy gets to call the shots.

Massachusetts State Police /Trooper Cpt. Thomas "Tom" McCarthy - the evening shift commander for Troop C based in Holden - is charged only with failing to stop and failing to stay right of center. Amazing, but not surprising.

SUMMARIZING FROM THE NEWS:

Last Saturday police responded to an alarm at a woman's house. Smart woman. Outside of her house they found Cpt. McCarthy was sitting in his unmarked black Ford Crown Victoria. The woman is said to have been in her garage. We don't know why. What happened at the house is not detailed but some articles report that McCarthy had a "dispute" with his girlfriend. Stalking? Threats? Harassment? Assault? Domestic violence? We aren't privvy to know - but the smart (probably fearful) woman's ALARM was sounding. McCarthy was allowed to drive away in the presence of Sargus police responding to the alarm. Whether Sargus police tried to talk to him, or recognized his state police vehicle and allowed him to just go, is not in the news. So McCarthy drives away and later that night is seen committing a "lanes violation" - crossing the yellow center line of a road that SEPARATES the two directions of traffic. Cpt. McCarthy is pulled over by a Saugus police officer who was flashing his blue lights. The officer smells liquor, sees two unopened cans of beer, an empty can in the backseat, as well as McCarthy's service weapon - but can't get McCarthy to agree to turn off and step out of the vehicle. The Saugus police officer gets some back talk from an "indignant" McCarthy,  and then let's McCarthy flee, likely (clearly) intoxicated. There is no report in the news of drawing a weapon on McCarthy or commanding McCarthy. 2 more Saugus vehicles join the pursuit, with blue lights activated, and follow McCarthy as he "blew through a stop sign" and eventually pulled over for them. McCarthy is said to have resisted arrest, he had to be forced to the ground, and handcuffed. McCarthy was taken to the Saugus Police station and for some reason not yet disclosed to the public, Cpt. McCarthy was NOT given any kind of testing for alcohol levels in his blood. There are no mentioned charges for driving drunk, resisting arrest. (Assaulting an officer?) State Police showed up at Saugus PD, took their vehicle, state-issue weapon, and put McCarthy on administrative leave pending his DUTY STATUS HEARING. State police also officially recorded their observation that McCarthy appeared to be intoxicated (drunk). In all the news articles I read there was NO mention of bail or bond, and McCarthy was not held. McCarthy decided to be a NO-SHOW for his court arraignment. Oh, State Police Colonel Marian McGovern put on her mad face for the news, and the judge and State Police are reported to be "shocked", but there is no CONSEQUENCE for McCarthy fleeing Massachusetts and checking himself into a rehab center in Florida, instead of coming to court. McCarthy also was required to be at the hearing regaring his job status. But he is the boss (obviously) and didn't show for that either. It was decided, as it would have been even if he had attended, that he is on indefinite leave without pay "as shift commnader". I don't know if there are loopholes in that limiting language or not. The judge agreed to grant the request of McCarthy's defense attorney - and the arraignment is postponed until December. Sweet life.

VIDEO:

EXCERPTS FROM THE NEWS: 

MASS. STATE POLICE CAPTAIN SUSPENDED OVER CHASE: A state trooper charged with failing to stop for police trying to pull him over last weekend was suspended without pay yesterday.
Telegram & Gazette
November 26, 2011
[Excerpts] A state trooper charged with failing to stop for police trying to pull him over last weekend was suspended without pay... Capt. Thomas McCarthy, 47, the evening shift commander for Troop C based in Holden, was arrested Saturday night... State police gave the following account: Saugus police went to a home where an alarm was sounding Saturday night. A woman who lives there was in the garage, and Capt. McCarthy, who was off duty, was sitting in his unmarked cruiser, a black Ford Crown Victoria. The trooper drove away. A few minutes later, a Saugus police officer saw the driver of the Crown Victoria commit a marked lanes violation on Central Street near Main Street, and stopped the car. The Saugus officer asked the driver to shut off the ignition and get out of the car, but instead the driver drove away. Saugus police followed the car, and ultimately the driver stopped... McCarthy was arrested on charges of failing to stop for police and failing to stay right of center. He was booked at the Saugus police station, where a commander "observed in him signs of intoxication." Capt. McCarthy didn't attend the arraignment scheduled for yesterday in Lynn District Court, and it was rescheduled for Dec. 22... [Full article here]

VIDEO: 

POLICE CAPT.'S NO-SHOW 'EMBARRASSED DEPARTMENT': Captain Placed On Leave, Faces Charges
thebostonchannel.com
November 22, 2011
[Excerpts] A Massachusetts State Police captain is facing motor vehicle charges after a chase following a dispute with his girlfriend in Saugus this weekend, police said. Saugus police went to the Saville Street home of Capt. Tom McCarthy’s girlfriend at about 10:30 p.m.... McCarthy, 47, and his girlfriend had a dispute at the house, and the veteran officer left in his personal unmarked cruiser... A few minutes later, a Saugus officer saw the vehicle commit a marked lanes violation on Central Street, near the intersection with Main Street, State police said. The Saugus officer turned on his blue lights and stopped the black Ford Crown Victoria. When the officer asked McCarthy to turn off the car, he drove away, according to police. The Saugus officer, eventually joined by two other Saugus cruisers, followed McCarthy onto the Main Street overpass and down onto Route 1 southbound. McCarthy pulled over in the parking lot outside the Sears Automotive Center at the Square One Mall, where he was arrested, police said. State police said it appeared McCarthy had been drinking, but he was not given a Breathalyzer test by local police. McCarthy was charged with failure to stop and failure to stay right of the center line. His arraignment was scheduled for Tuesday in Lynn District Court, but McCarthy was not there... State police said McCarthy had taken a sick day on Saturday and had not been on duty. [Full article here]

VIDEO: 

TROOPER WHO LEAD POLICE ON HIGH-SPEED CHASE FAILS TO APPEAR IN COURT
FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com
Wednesday, 23 Nov 2011
[Excerpts] A state trooper who has been suspended indefinitely after leading Saugus police on a high-speed chase while off-duty with beer in his unmarked cruiser failed to appear in court Tuesday to face the misdemeanor charge. State Police and the judge were both shocked when Capt. Tom McCarthy failed to appear on a charge that carries a $100 fine. Lynn District Court Judge Stacey Fortes-White did allow McCarthy’s arraignment to be continued until December, but noted she was not happy he was a no-show in court. She was also alarmed the prosecution did not bring up any sort of opposition to the fact that McCarthy went to a facility in Florida instead of appearing in court... The due diligence of the Saugus Police Department is also being called into question... McCarthy’s cruiser had two unopened cans of beer, an empty in the backseat, as well as his service gun, all of which were confiscated by the State Police. However, no breathalyzer test was ever issued to McCarthy... McCarthy was pulled over late Saturday night in an unmarked cruiser for crossing the yellow line in the center of town. The report also noted that McCarthy smelled of alcohol and said something like “are you kidding me” before taking off down Route-1. Scott allegedly pursued McCarthy a short distance before the driver pulled into a parking lot. McCarthy was then arrested for marked lane violation and failure to stop for a police officer. [Full article here]

STATIE TAKES OFFTO FLORIDA AFTER SAUGUS CHASE
bostonherald.com
By Marie Szaniszlo
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
[Excerpts] A state police captain who led Saugus cops on a chase Saturday night, veering over the center yellow line “numerous times” before finally stopping, apparently was not given a Breathalyzer or field sobriety test, even though town police reported smelling alcohol, a state police supervisor reported signs of intoxication, and he had an empty beer bottle in his cruiser, police said. State police Capt. Thomas McCarthy, 47, of Stoneham failed to show up for his arraignment yesterday on a charge of failure to stop for a police officer and failure to stay in marked lanes, and is in a “facility” in Florida, the judge was told. He has been suspended indefinitely without pay from his post as shift commander for Troop C in central Massachusetts. McCarthy appeared indignant when patrolman James Scott asked him to turn off his engine after smelling alcohol on him, according to a police report. “You’ve got to be kidding me. I’m outta here,” McCarthy said, the report states. Scott first spotted McCarthy at about 10:30 p.m. on Saville Street. McCarthy took off after being pulled over, the report states, and three cruisers followed him as he blew through a stop sign and onto Route 1. As they passed Square One Mall, McCarthy turned into the Sears parking lot and came to a stop. Scott ordered McCarthy “numerous times” to turn off the car and toss the keys out, his report said, but McCarthy refused. When he finally got out, Scott told him he was under arrest, and McCarthy repeated again, “Are you kidding me?” and resisted being handcuffed, police said. Inside the unmarked Crown Victoria state police cruiser, Scott found an empty bottle of Miller beer on the back seat floor and two unopened bottles, the report said. A state police commander who met McCarthy at the Saugus police station noticed he showed signs of intoxication, said state police spokesman David Procopio. Scott’s report, while noting a smell of alcohol on McCarthy’s breath, makes no mention of him being asked to take a Breathalyzer or field sobriety test... [Full article here]

POLICE CAPTAIN FACES CHARGES: Mass. state police captain in Saugus chase dodges hearing, arraignment, is suspended without pay
EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA
November 23, 2011

LYNN — A state police captain charged with failing to stop for police trying to pull him over has been suspended without pay but skipped both his court arraignment and a state hearing on his employment status.

A state police spokesman said yesterday that Capt. Thomas McCarthy of Stoneham, evening shift commander for Troop C in Holden, which covers the central part of the state, was arrested Saturday night after Saugus police responded to a house in town.

Authorities say McCarthy, who was off-duty, left the house in an unmarked cruiser and was pulled over several minutes later for a marked lanes violation. McCarthy then allegedly drove away. He stopped again later. State police said they're investigating whether he was intoxicated, although he was never forced to take a Breathalyzer test.

McCarthy didn't attend a Tuesday arraignment in Lynn District Court, which was reset to Dec. 22. His attorney declined comment on McCarthy's case or whereabouts, but said he'll appear for the new date. The Boston Herald and Globe both report that the judge was told during yesterday's arraignment that McCarthy is in a rehabilitation center in Florida.

McCarthy also skipped a state police hearing where he was suspended without pay yesterday.

According to a statement issued yesterday by State Police spokesman David Procopio, Saugus officers first encountered McCarthy when they responded to an alarm sounding at a local home.

"Upon arrival they observed the woman who lives at the home in the garage, and McCarthy, who was off-duty, sitting in his unmarked cruiser," Procopio said. "McCarthy then drove away. A few minutes later, a Saugus officer saw the same vehicle commit a marked lanes violation on Central Street, near the intersection with Main Street. The Saugus officer activated his lights and stopped the black Ford Crown Victoria.

"The officer approached the Crown Victoria and observed that it was driven by the same man who had driven away from the home where the alarm had been sounding. The officer asked the operator to shut off the ignition and exit the vehicle, at which point the driver - later identified as McCarthy - refused to do so and drove away.

"The Saugus officer, eventually joined by two other Saugus cruisers, all with blue lights activated, followed McCarthy onto the Main Street overpass and down onto Route 1 southbound. McCarthy ultimately pulled over in the parking lot outside the Sears Automotive Center at the Square One Mall.

"Saugus officers placed McCarthy under arrest for failure to stop for police and failure to stay right of center. He was transported to the Saugus Police station to be booked. State Police immediately dispatched a Troop A patrol supervisor to the site of the arrest to take possession of the cruiser and McCarthy's firearm, which was in the cruiser. A State Police commander also responded to the Saugus police station that night and immediately placed McCarthy on administrative leave pending his duty status hearing. That commander, upon speaking to McCarthy, observed in him signs of intoxication."

Procopio said the State Police Internal Affairs Section has begun an internal investigation into McCarthy's conduct "to determine what transgressions of departmental policies, rules, and regulations occurred. The question of whether he was intoxicated, as well as his use of a cruiser while off-duty and other alleged transgressions, will be part of that investigation. Internal Affairs will also monitor the criminal proceedings against McCarthy in Essex County."

He added, "The allegations, if proven to be true, are a serious breach of the conduct and behavior expected of a Massachusetts State trooper and do not represent the ideals and values of the vast majority of department members."

The Herald also reported that an empty bottle of Miller beer and two unopened bottles were found on the back seat floor of McCarthy's vehicle. [LINK]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety preferential treatment massachusetts state politics]

[PA] Officer Cathey arrested for domestic assault, terroristic threats, robbery

2 Philly Police Officers Arrested
nbcphiladelphia.com
By Karen Araiza
Tuesday, Nov 22, 2011
[Excerpt] ...Officer Darryl Cathey is a two-year veteran of the force. He's accused of assaulting his former girlfriend. Cathey, 23, is charged with robbery, terroristic threats, simple assault and related offenses. He has also been suspended for 30 days with intent to dismiss. [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement threatening public safety lethal pennsylvania politics]

[LA] Brandy says that police discouraged her from reporting her police officer boyfriend.

It's been a year, but with the persistent courage of Brandy Richardson and the amazingly powerful assistance of a WDSU I-Team investigation, Harbor Police Officer Melvin Anderson has been finally been charged with felony criminal damage to property, domestic abuse, and strangulation.

"Brandy Richardson says she is sharing her story for the countless others that may be too afraid to share theirs."

WOMAN SAYS POLICE REFUSED TO INVESTIGATE HER ATTACKER: Charges Filed Against Officer Year After Incident

WDSU

November 22, 2011

A New Orleans East woman said she was physically abused by her boyfriend and police refused to investigate the attack for months.

The woman said she believes investigators tried to sweep the incident “under the rug” because he is an police officer.

Brandy Richardson said the incident happened on Sept. 13, 2010. She and her live-in boyfriend were expecting a child, she said. An argument happened, which she said escalated into a physical attack as she tried to back away from him.

“I fell over the kitchen table, fell on to my right side -- that's when he grabbed me around my neck and continued to strangle me. Once he let me go, I called the police,” she said.

When officers arrived at the scene, they diffused the situation, but Richardson said that’s where the police intervention ended even though Richardson said she gave police a statement and wanted to press charges.

“The first thing that was told to me from one of the officers was a question, ‘Are you sure? Are you sure you want to do something like this? Don't you see the state he's in? Do you realize what this can cause and what type of consequences can be behind this?’” she said.

Richardson’s boyfriend, Melvin Anderson, is an officer of the harbor police force patrolling the Port of New Orleans.

“Their sole concern the whole time they were present was what was going to happen to this other fellow officer,” Richardson said.

However, Anderson’s attorney, Eusi Phillips, disputes Richardson’s account.

“The story she has given just does not add up to the evidence,” he said. “They are no longer together. When it's all said and done we will be able to show that there is a lot more to this.”

Richardson said she went to the emergency room at Ochsner Hospital after the incident but remained disturbed because she said the police who responded to the situation didn’t take action.

“After the situation happened with the police, I even lost my confidence in the police department,” she said.

When her attempts to follow up on the incident were unsuccessful, she said she took matters into her own hands and contacted New Orleans Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas, Mayor Mitch Landrieu and WDSU.

“They allowed a lot of things to be washed away, and I feel in my heart that they completely just covered the whole thing up,” Richardson said.

The WDSU I-Team contacted the Public Integrity Bureau about the matter and a spokesman said that the officers’ actions that night were appropriate. No disciplinary action was taken, and the investigation into the incident was complete.

However, after the I-Team probed the case, it was eventually referred to the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office. The district attorney’s office filed felony charges against Anderson on charges of criminal damage to property, domestic abuse and strangulation.

Anderson’s attorney said the charges are baseless.

“To a certain extent, it's manufactured a story in attempt to discredit defame and humiliate Mr. Anderson, and I am confidant at trial we will be able to present that to a jury. … Ultimately he will be exonerated,” Phillips said.

Pretrial motions have been set for December. A trial date has not been set.

http://www.wdsu.com/r/29832073/detail.html

[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal strangulation fetus child children pregnant attempted murder louisiana state politics]

[WA] Sad investigation result on accidental shooting of Detective Owen's 3 year old son

An internal affairs investigation report on the accidental shooting death of 3 year old Ryan Owens, son of Clark County Sheriff's Deputy Ed Owens found the detective to have violated several policies, been deceptive after the fatal shooting, and that he and his wife "persistently" blamed his 11-year-old stepdaughter for Ryan's death - though he knew otherwise. The report concluded that he and his wife threatened, assaulted, and taped a forced a confession from Owens' stepdaughter. His attorney says that is not true.

VIOLATIONS FOUND IN DEATH OF CLARK COUNTY DEPUTY’S SON: Report looks at treatment of man’s stepdaughter, 11
The Columbian
By Laura McVicker
Friday, November 18, 2011
[Excerpts] A Clark County sheriff’s deputy [Detective Ed Owens] violated policies on firearms storage, off-duty conduct, ethics, competency and employee responsibilities in connection with the 2010 shooting death of his 3-year-old son, according to an internal affairs investigation... Owens’ son Ryan fatally shot himself [with dad's loaded Kel-Tec pistol] while playing with his father’s gun Sept. 14, 2010, at the family’s Battle Ground home. Most of the allegations relate to Owens’ behavior following the shooting. Reports say he blamed his 11-year-old stepdaughter for the death - even though evidence clearly showed it was accidental - and coerced a false confession from her... In the ensuing investigation, detectives discovered that the gun safe had malfunctioned, sometimes not locking when it should, and that Owens and his wife knew it wasn’t working properly, according to police reports. Owens explained that he kept loaded guns in his house to protect his family... “The full reasons may never be known, but whatever they are, Deputy Owens decided to make (his stepdaughter) a scapegoat for this tragic accident, and there is a high probability that his actions will have a long-term effect on (his stepdaughter’s) mental health”... Owens’ Portland attorney, Steve Myers, however, said the internal affairs report isn’t an accurate depiction of what happened. He said his client denies the allegations... A final decision on his employment or any discipline has not been decided... [Full article here]

THE REPORT [PDF file]
[edward owens interrogation police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal fatality fatalities homicide toddler gun safety child child abuse lies washington state politics]

[MS] Sheriff: If there are injuries, officers have no discretion. Someone has to be arrested.

POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED
Natchez Democrat
November 19, 2011
[Excerpts] A Natchez police officer was arrested Sunday night for domestic violence and resigned the following day. Adams County sheriff’s deputies arrested former Natchez police officer Jimmy Molphus on domestic violence/simple assault charges. Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said deputies responded to Molphus’ house at 79 Saragossa Road after receiving a call from Molphus’ wife. Deputies discovered visible marks on the victim’s face... Mayfield said suspects must be arrested if deputies see visual injuries on complainants. “Officers have no discretion, someone has to be arrested”... Molphus was placed on administrative leave following his arrest Sunday night [and] submitted his resignation Monday... Molphus said he resigned from the NPD so its public image did not suffer from his situation... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety mississippi state politics policy]

[CO] El Paso Co Sheriff's Deputy Washburn's cop-on-cop domestic charges dropped

El Paso County Sheriff's Deputy Amanda Washburn's deputy boyfriend

...did not cooperate with the investigation... He said he did not want to press charges and did not want her to spend any more time behind bars... Ryan Harris said Washburn is a good person and that the charges against her should be reduced... 

CHARGES AGAINST SHERIFF'S DEPUTY DISMISSED
The Gazette
Jakob Rodgers
November 18, 2011
[Excerpt] The domestic violence case against an El Paso County sheriff’s deputy accused of hitting her boyfriend and throwing chunks of concrete and dirt at his house has been dismissed. Prosecutors decided not to pursue harassment charges against Amanda Washburn, an El Paso County sheriff’s patrol deputy, during a court hearing Friday, according to Lee Richards, 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman. “They (prosecutors) felt it was a weak case,” Richards said. “There was no reasonable likelihood of conviction." Washburn was arrested and placed on paid administrative leave earlier this week following an argument that started when she claimed her boyfriend, another deputy, spent too much time with his ex-wife on Halloween, according to an arrest warrant. Investigators suspect Washburn hit the deputy on the chest and threw chunks of dirt and concrete at his house on Sunday, the affidavit said. She also followed the deputy about 20 miles in her car while texting him to talk to her, the affidavit said, and tried going into his home several times after being asked to leave. The deputy did not cooperate with the investigation, Richards said, and he did not want to pursue charges... [Full article here]

DEPUTY'S HARASSMENT CHARGES DROPPED: El Paso County Sheriff's Deputy Faced Harassment Charges
KRDO
November 18, 2011
[Excerpts] Harassment charges against an El Paso County Sheriff's deputy have been dropped and her case has been dismissed. Sources told KRDO Newschannel 13 earlier Friday morning that the charges were expected to be dropped due to a lack of evidence. Deputy Amanda Washburn was arrested on November 14 for a domestic violence case. She made her first court appearance Tuesday afternoon and was released on a personal recognizance bond out of interest for her safety... The court ordered a mandatory protection order for 7 days against Harris' two children, ages 11 and 8. The children were present during the dispute... Ryan Harris said Washburn is a good person and that the charges against her should be reduced. Washburn has been placed on administrative leave and must report to her chain-of-command every day. The court is also allowing her to go out of town next week for a previously arranged holiday trip. [Full article here]

EARLIER: 

SHERIFF DEPUTY FACING HARASSMENT CHARGES
coloradoconnection.com
by Sade Malloy
Posted: 11.15.2011
Updated: 11.16.2011
[Excerpts] El Paso County Sheriff's Deputy Amanda Washburn was arrested Monday on suspicion of domestic violence after an argument with [her deputy boyfriend]... During her video advisement, the victim at the center of the case spoke on behalf of Washburn. He said he did not want to press charges and did not want her to spend any more time behind bars... The dispute took place in front of Harris' two young children as Harris tried to walk into his home. But while closing the front door, Washburn wedged herself in the doorway and at one point hit Harris in the chest with the palm of her hand. Washburn refused to leave, and, according to Harris, she threw chunks of concrete at the side of his house. Washburn eventually called the El Paso County Emergency dispatch to say Harris had pushed her, but also admitted to following Harris to his parents' house to make sure she knew where he was.... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety stalking cop on cop female perpetrator perp colorado state politics]

[WA] Wife of unnamed Thurston County Sheriff's detective is afraid

Just back from active duty.
I pray they survive this.
This is the photo from his very recently deleted Facebook page... what he wanted the world or his wife to see.

... She alleges that he also said that if she left, he would “shoot everybody who’s out there.” She said that during an argument on Oct. 7 or 8, he had words to the effect of “you will see what’s going to happen, I have nothing left to lose”...

DEPUTY ACCUSED OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Lacey: He denies wife’s allegations that he wouldn’t allow her to leave their bedroom during an argument
The Olympian
Jeremy Pawloski
Published November 17, 2011
[Excerpts] Lacey police arrested an undercover narcotics detective with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday on suspicion of unlawful imprisonment/domestic violence, court papers state. The detective, 34, appeared in court Wednesday morning before Thurston County Superior Court Judge Thomas McPhee, and McPhee set bail for the detective at $10,000. The detective, who returned from a 15-month Army deployment in Afghanistan in October, is accused of refusing to let his wife out of their bedroom during an argument on Nov. 8, court papers state... McPhee issued a number of conditions of release that the detective must abide by, including no access to firearms, and an order to stay away from his wife. Thurston County Sheriff’s Lt. Greg Elwin said Wednesday that the detective will immediately be placed on paid administrative reassignment pending the outcome of any potential criminal case, and an additional internal investigation that will be launched by the sheriff’s office. Unlawful imprisonment is a class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine... [Full article here]

THURSTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DETECTIVE ARRESTED, OUT ON BAIL
The Olympian
By Jeremy Pawloski
Published November 16, 2011
48 COMMENTS
[Excerpts] Lacey police arrested an undercover narcotics detective with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday on suspicion of unlawful imprisonment/domestic violence, court papers state. The detective, 34, appeared in court Wednesday morning before Thurston County Superior Court Judge Thomas McPhee, and McPhee set bail for the detective at $10,000. The detective, who returned from a 15-month Army deployment in Afghanistan in October, is accused of refusing to let his wife out of their bedroom during an argument... The Olympian is not naming the detective because he has yet to be charged with a crime. Dixon said Wednesday that the detective is innocent of the allegations against him... According to court papers: The Lacey Police Department’s investigation began Sunday night, after the detective’s wife called police to report a domestic violence incident, specifically, that her husband had his gun out. “Dispatch heard the male in the background state ‘Are you kidding me?’” The woman then hung up the phone. The detective then called dispatch and said “his service pistols are on his bed and that his wife was intoxicated and his duty weapons were in his bedroom.” He also reported that his wife hit him. A Lacey police officer was dispatched to the residence, and the detective told the officer that he and his wife had been having marital issues. The detective’s wife told the officer that they had been married for 13 years, but they had been verbally arguing “almost every day” lately. She said that on Sunday night, on the way home from dinner, he had said, “I wanna kill you.” She further stated that he had made the statement “I wanna kill you” to her “once or twice a week” during their recent history of arguing... She said that during the fight but before he prevented her from leaving the room, her husband had placed a revolver on the bed. She alleges that he also said that if she left, he would “shoot everybody who’s out there.” She said that during an argument on Oct. 7 or 8, he had words to the effect of “you will see what’s going to happen, I have nothing left to lose.” During the wife’s conversation with the Lacey officer Sunday night, she said “she felt frightened this evening because she had never seen the rifle in the bedroom before.” She added however, that her husband had never physically hurt her, “but was close to her a few times”... She said she had never reported anything to police because she didn’t want him to get into trouble. The detective denied to the Lacey officer that he had threatened to kill his wife. He added that he normally keeps his guns in the master bedroom. He said he never handled a gun during an argument. He agreed to leave the house for the evening. A Lacey officer arrested the detective ON TUESDAY... [Judge] McPhee issued a number of conditions of release that the detective must abide by, including no access to firearms, and an order to stay away from his wife... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal washington state politics]

[MA] Firefighter Anderson charged with domestic violence with new wife

NEWLYWED CHARGED IN DOMESTIC ASSAULT
By Julie Manganis
November 17, 2011
A firefighter married just three weeks has been charged with domestic assault and battery after a fight with his bride left her bleeding from the mouth Tuesday. George Anderson, 36, of 27 Ord St., Salem, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment yesterday in Salem District Court, where he and his attorney showed Judge Michael Uhlarik what he claims is a bite mark he received during the fight. Anderson, a Wilmington firefighter, allegedly tried to prevent his wife from leaving the house to go to the library on Tuesday afternoon. Prosecutor Heidi Sylvanowicz told the judge that Anderson blocked the door, then struggled with the woman and punched her in the mouth. The prosecutor said that as police pulled up, Anderson was walking away from the house. Defense lawyer William Barabino suggested that the wife was actually the aggressor and that he was simply trying to restrain her. Barabino and Anderson showed the judge marks on Anderson's arms that he says came from his wife. "This is a young marriage," Barabino said. "It's been three weeks." For now, the two will have to live apart, after Anderson's wife obtained a domestic restraining order against him yesterday morning. Anderson was released on personal recognizance, with a condition that he stay away from his wife. He's due back in court on Jan. 19. [LINK]

Firefighting with family
Wilmington Advocate
By Gail Martin
Mar 12, 2008 @ 10:04 AM
[Excerpts] Wilmington’s firefighter family includes two actual families, the three Andersons and the two Woods. That doesn’t even include members of each family who are former Wilmington firefighters... [Full article here]
[firefighter involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse public safety personnel massachusetts state politics]